WASHINGTON, D.C. — Most Americans believe the trucking industry plays a vital role in the nation’s economy and have a “favorable impression” of trucking, according to a national poll conducted by Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF). The organization released the results of its latest survey Thursday, Nov. 3.
“Our latest polling shows that the image of the trucking industry is stronger than ever,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and vice president of government affairs and sales for MTS.
“The public perception of the trucking (industry) is at an all-time high, with our poll finding that the majority of Americans — 87% of voters — have a favorable impression of trucking, which is the highest public opinion has been since TMAF began tracking industry views in 2014,” he said.
The national poll, conducted Sept. 7-14 by Public Opinion Strategies on behalf of TMAF, surveyed 1,000 registered voters. Some key findings of the survey, along with comparisons to the 2019 poll, include the following:
- 87% of voters have a favorable impression of the trucking industry (up from 67% in the 2019 poll).
- 97% of Americans believe the trucking industry plays a “very important” role in the country’s economy (unchanged from 2019).
- Nearly three-fourths — 72% — of respondents rate the industry’s safety record as “excellent” or “good” (up slightly from 70% in 2019).
- When asked about truck drivers, 96% of Americans stated they are essential to keeping the country’s economy moving; 85% consider truck drivers to be professionals; and 78% believe truck drivers have higher standards for safety than other drivers.
- Voters have generally heard people say more positive than negative things about the trucking industry, with comments like “keeping stores stocked,” “critical for the success of the country” and “keeping the country moving” as top responses.
- When voters were asked which group of workers should be considered “essential or critical” to the country in times of crisis, trucking ranked among the top three, along with grocery store workers and health care workers.
“More and more Americans continue to realize the essential role that trucking plays in the nation’s economy and in all of our lives, thanks to industry-wide education efforts. TMAF will continue our mission to tell the positive story of trucking to shift public perception even higher,” Burch said.
To view the full results and how they compare with previous surveys, click here.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I know truckers are number one we keep the country going without truck drivers America would stop I’ve been doing this here for 37 years and it has changed a lot but that’s a professional truck drivers are number one you can have all the farmers the stores and everything if truckers didn’t bring it to you you wouldn’t have it thank you